How the Saudi-led coalition forces devastated Yemen? 5 years of misery

Yemen is sandwiched between the might of two middle east arch-rivals, Iran and Saudi Arabia. For 5 years, the country presents a picture of forgotten land with its people suffering and deprived of a peaceful future. Every now and then, the civilians are targetted either by the Saudi forces or Iran-backed Huthi militants. The international community needs to resolve this disaster on war footings.

Impoverished Yemen is mired in a devastating conflict between Iran-backed rebels and government forces that intensified after Saudi Arabia led a military intervention five years ago.

Here is a broad overview:

Arab intervention

In September 2014, Huthi rebels from the country’s Zaid Shiite minority in northern Yemen enter Sanaa, seizing the government headquarters.

Backed by Shiite Iran, the rebels ally themselves with military units loyal to ex-president Ali Abdullah Selah, who was forced to quit after a 2011 uprising.

As well as the capital, they seize swathes of territory, including the Red Sea port of Hodeida, a crucial entry point for imports and humanitarian aid.

In February 2015, President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi flees to the southern port city of Aden.

A coalition led by Sunni-ruled Saudi Arabia, the bitter regional rival of Iran, enters the conflict on March 26, 2015 with air strikes on the rebels.

Around a dozen countries form part of the coalition, including five from the Gulf, notably the United Arab Emirates.

Washington says it contributes logistics and intelligence.

🙏 Five years of siege, murder, genocide, bombing, diseases and suffering carried out by the countries of terrorism America, the House of Saudi , United Arab Emirates, Britain and France, Israel in Yemen are human crimes against civilians and children since 2015 . pic.twitter.com/vRYMQ2SS9t

In July, Aden becomes the de facto capital of the country, and pro-government forces announce in October they have retaken control of the Bab al-Mandab strait, a key waterway for international shipping.

Battle for aid port

In June 2018, government fighters, backed by Saudi and Emirati ground forces, launch an offensive to retake the port city of Hodeida.

UN-brokered talks between the warring parties open in December, yielding a series of breakthroughs including a ceasefire in Hodeida where combat largely ceases.

Southern separatists

The anti-Huthi camp is itself divided, notably in the south with fighting between separatists and unionist forces loyal to the government.

The separatists in January 2018 occupy the presidential palace in Aden, before Saudi-Emirati forces intervene and end the battle.

South Yemen was an independent state until it united with the north in 1990, and separatists remain powerful.

In August 2019, clashes in Aden pit separatists from the UAE-trained Security Belt against government troops backed by Riyadh.

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